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Ons Jabeur toppled two-time champion Simona Halep in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open on Wednesday. With the win, Jabeur leveled their head-to-head at 2-2.
Given that the previous matches contested between the two were on hardcourt, Jabeur took a 1-0 lead in their rivalry on clay.
Ons Jabeur vs Simona Halep Score
Jabeur cruised to a 6-3, 6-2 win over Halep in their quarter-final clash in Madrid. She will face either Ekaterina Alexandrova or Amanda Anisimova in the semifinals.
Ons Jabeur vs Simona Halep Winner
With her victory over Halep, Jabeur has reached her second WTA 1000 semifinal (first on clay). The Tunisian, seeded No. 8, is also the highest-ranked player left in the draw following a slew of early-round upsets.
Ons Jabeur vs Simona Halep Recap
Ons Jabeur recovered from an early break in the first set to turn the tide in her favor. The Tunisian committed 20 unforced errors in the opener, 12 more than Halep, but made up for it with 12 winners. The Romanian was limited to three winners in the first set.
Both players held serve for the first four games of the second set, before Jabeur broke in the fifth. Halep tried to break back immediately, but the Tunisian saved a break point with a drop shot.
Halep repeatedly hit her racket on the ground in frustration, earning her a code violation. Another drop shot allowed Jabeur to hold for a 4-2 lead.
Jabeur turned the screw in the next game, recovering from a 30-0 deficit to break for the second time in the set after firing a forehand winner.
Jabeur sealed the match when Halep's backhand sailed into the net. Speaking after the match, Jabeur praised the Romanian's fighting spirit and elaborated on what aspects of her own game worked well on the night.
"Simona is never easy to play against. She's a great champion. She was No. 1, she is a Grand Slam champion. I was more aggressive this time. My drop shot helped me a lot today, won me a lot of points. Hopefully we continue with this level," said Jabeur.
Jabeur added that her next goal is to win the tournament.
"My next dream is to win here in Madrid. I feel really good. I feel more confident. It's never easy to win lots of matches. I've been playing great on clay. Hopefully it continues this way. Why not lift the title here," said Jabeur.
